Property tax relief applications available

AUGUSTA — Property Tax Savings Program applications are being distributed to by the State Bureau of Taxation, according to state Rep. Herb Clark of Millinocket.

The program provides direct payments from the state to residents who pay an unusually high percentage of their incomes for rent or property tax.

The first part of the program is the General Property Tax or Rent Refund, available to people whose tax amounts to more than 4.5 percent of household income or whose rent is more than 30 percent of household income, if income did not exceed $60,000 in 1989.

The Elderly Householders Tax or Rent Refund is for single, low-income, elderly Maine residents, age 62 or older, having income of $8,000 or less in 1989; and for married couples in which one member is 62 or older and income did not exceed $10,000 in 1989.

Couples both receiving disability payments are eligible for the program at age 55.

Application information also is provided for the Elderly Low-Cost Drug Card program.

Applications may be filed from now to Dec. 31. In 1989, more than 64,000 people received more than $19 million under the property tax program, and the average payment was $296. Maximum refund for the Low-Income Elderly Program is $400, and $3,000 for the General Program.

More information is available from the Bureau of Taxation, State House, Station 24, Augusta 04333, or by calling 289-3695 or 1-800-452-1983.